Washing machine with positive pressure moisture extraction

Abstract

A washing machine for washing articles includes a housing and a drum mounted within the housing for rotation therein. A door is mounted to the housing, with the door being movable relative to the housing for providing access to the drum. An expandable bladder is mounted within the drum, with the expandable bladder being operable between an extended position for squeezing moisture from articles being washed and a retracted position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine for washing articles and comprising:
 a housing;   a drum mounted within the housing for rotation therein;   a door mounted to the housing, the door being movable relative to the housing for providing access to the drum; and   an expandable bladder mounted within the drum, the expandable bladder being operable between an extended position for squeezing moisture from articles being washed and a retracted position.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is mounted to the door. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the bladder comprises a substantially flexible and fluid-tight bag, and wherein by providing positive pressure within the bag, the bag expands to provide for expansion thereof within an interior portion of the drum. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein with the bladder in the extended position the bladder at least partially engages portions of the interior of the drum. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the positive pressure is provided by positive water pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , further comprising an air compressor for providing the positive pressure within the bag. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein the air compressor is mounted within the housing and a fluid conduit is sealingly engaged to provide positive pressure between the compressor and the door. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the drum is oriented vertically within the housing and the door comprises an upper lid. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the drum is oriented horizontally within the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the drum is oriented at an angle between horizontal and vertical. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the compressor is mounted to the door. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum pump for urging the bladder to return to the retracted position. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the vacuum pump is fluidly connected to the drum for further assisting the bladder toward its extended position. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is in the form of a replaceable cartridge that is removably mounted to the door. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein the bladder, when extended, has a size and shape generally corresponding to the drum. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the bladder is generally cylindrical and comprises surface features formed along an outer periphery thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method of removing moisture from wet articles within a washing machine, the method comprising:
 providing a washing machine comprising a housing, a drum rotatably mounted within the housing, and a cover mounted to the housing for providing access to the drum;   providing an inflatable variable volume bladder, the bladder being movable between a first retracted, compact configuration and a second extended, expanded configuration;   positioning the bladder generally adjacent the drum;   providing positive pressure within the bladder, the positive pressure within the bladder increasing the volume of the bladder to the second extended, expanded configuration so that the bladder occupies a substantial portion of an interior of the drum, thereby pressing the wet articles with the bladder against an interior of the drum and thereby removing moisture from the articles.